by Jasmine Walt
A knock on the carriage door interrupted us before I could ask more questions. “Sir, the Minister is approaching,” a guard called.
I glanced out the window, and my mouth fell open in amazement. Three large airships were indeed approaching, and the one in the middle was twice the size of the two that flanked it. I’d never seen such a large airship in my life.
“How many people did you say he was bringing?” I asked faintly as I watched the ships descend, the airport staff scurrying about as they prepared for the landing. “He looks like he’s coming with a small army.”
“I understand that half the government decided to see him off at the pier,” Iannis explained as we disembarked from the carriage. “There will be only thirteen of us on the boat, counting the five servants. We are not just attending a funeral, but a coronation, and the Federation is expected to bring gifts for the new Mage-Emperor.”
“That’s a hell of a lot of gifts,” I muttered as we all formed a semi-circle near the landing strip—close enough that the Minister wouldn’t have to walk far to get to the carriages we’d brought for him, but far enough away that we would be safe. “I have a feeling we’re gonna need more carriages.”
“We won’t be unloading everything now,” Director Chen said, sounding slightly amused. “That would be far too much work. But we will have strong protection spells set up around the ship, and mages guarding it day and night.” She gestured toward several of the mage guards who had been brought along—large, imposing men who were powerful both magically and physically. I figured they would be supplemented by regular human and shifter guards as well.
It took some time for the ships to make a proper landing—it was a slow, delicate process to make sure they touched down without causing damage. The Minister disembarked from one of the smaller ships, dressed in burgundy robes, his long blond hair tied back from his stern face into a braid. He was accompanied by at least twenty other mages—guards, aides, and high officials—and trying to keep up with all the introductions was impossible. Luckily most of them would not be coming on to Garai with us, but, in the meantime, they were our guests and had to be looked after.
Once we were all back at the Palace and settled, Iannis and I had lunch in the Winter Garden with Minister Graning, Director Chen, and a mage named Garrett Toring, who was introduced to us as the Director of Federal Security. He was tall and handsome, with gilded hair and a charming smile, but there was a cold, calculating edge to his hazel eyes that made me instantly dislike him. I could tell from Iannis’s scent that he didn’t like Toring, either, though he hid his emotions well with his impeccable manners.
“I thought I would make things expedient by briefing you over lunch,” the Minister said after he’d taken a sip from his glass of water.
Well, that explains why the other guests are eating separately, I thought as I piled my plate high with appetizers. The servers had brought out trays of coconut-encrusted shrimp, tiny tarts filled with spinach and goat cheese, and bowls of lobster bisque. I was starving, so it took great effort for me to restrain myself from inhaling the whole table’s worth and nibble delicately on my shrimp like a lady.
“That sounds like an excellent idea,” Iannis said. “You provided scant details over the phone, so I can only assume you are about to divulge highly sensitive information.”
“Director Toring,” the Minister said, inclining his head to the Director, who sat at his elbow. “Why don’t you take the lead?”
“Of course, sir,” Toring said smoothly. To Iannis, Chen, and me, he said, “We will be traveling by steamboat to the port of Maral, which is well north of Leniang Port, in order to attend the funeral. The Garaian government will be sending a troop from the Imperial Guard to meet and escort us, as well as the various other heads of state arriving, to Bilai, the capital.” He glanced at me, and the tips of my ears reddened as I realized the geographical explanations were specifically for me. Chen would know where these locations were, as a native Garaian, and Iannis probably did, too, since he was so well traveled. Director Toring obviously assumed I was completely ignorant, when in fact I’d known the capital of Garai since I was eight years old! And despite my schedule being dominated by the school investigations, I’d managed to find time to refresh my knowledge of the country. Not that I was an expert, but still—I wasn’t a total idiot. Silently, I fumed, curling my hands into fists beneath the table.
“How many days will we be required to remain at the capital?” Iannis asked. “I am not quite familiar with the Garaian custom for state funerals. There have only been two in my lifetime, the last one three hundred years ago, and I was not invited either time.”
“Depending on the outcome of the imperial heir’s testing, it should be two to three weeks, minimum,” Director Chen said before Toring could answer. “I expect we’ll be housed in a pavilion specifically set up for our delegation, so we should be relatively safe from snooping, and from any nations who might wish us harm. Even so, I assume you will be employing strict security measures of your own.” She inclined her head to Toring.
“Of course,” Toring said smoothly, but I caught a hint of annoyance in his steely gaze. I had a feeling he didn’t like that Director Chen had answered for him, even though she would be the expert on her native country’s customs. “After the funeral, there will be eight days of mourning and seclusion, and after that, we will attend the ceremonial testing for the successor, the deceased Mage-Emperor’s eldest son. Following that, providing he passes the tests, comes the Coronation, which is marked by an eight-day celebration.”
“By Magorah,” I complained, drawing all eyes to me. “That’s a long time. I’m assuming there’s a reason why they like eight days, instead of seven, or say, one?” A hint of sarcasm entered my voice at the end—I mean really, how long did it take to stick a crown on a guy’s head?
Toring shrugged. “I am told eight is the most auspicious number in Garai—considered to ensure good fortune. Luckily for us, the long period of mourning means that we should just have enough time to complete our mission before we are due back for the testing ceremony and coronation.”
The servers came back in with the next course—grilled salmon, seared scallops, thin noodles in a cream sauce, and green beans—and we ceased talking. The silence went on for a bit longer as we dug into our meals, for which I was grateful. The food was delicious, and I wanted to enjoy it.
Eventually, though, the Director resumed his briefing. “In that enormous airship, amongst other things, we have brought a very special experimental flying machine. It is small, light, and quite unobtrusive. We will be using it to slip away to Leniang Port during the week of mourning. The five “servants” we are bringing are trained mages and operatives, and one of them is a pilot.”
“Our objective is to find and shut down the lab in Leniang Port as quickly and quietly as possible,” the Minister said. “The mission is not without risk, as the Garaians can be very touchy about their sovereignty. Discretion is of the utmost importance—we do not wish to trigger a diplomatic incident, or worse, a war.”
“Certainly not,” Iannis agreed. “A war with Garai would be devastating for both countries. And we want to keep our lucrative trade with them intact.”
“There is another complication,” Toring said, his expression growing serious. “After learning about the gunrunning problem, the Minister and I sent a team of highly trained and powerful mages into Leniang Port to deal with the matter directly. We did not discover the lab’s existence until we questioned the doctors from Osero, but managed to transmit the information to the team while they were still en route.” His words were for Director Chen and I, and I kept my face neutral so I would not betray more foreknowledge. Iannis had already told me about the gunrunning issue, though Toring obviously assumed he wouldn’t have bothered my pretty little head with such details. “We lost contact with them awhile ago, after they had faithfully reported in every other night with a special long-range magitech device.”
; “Where were they when they last reported in?” Chen asked.
“They had just arrived in Leniang Port,” Director Toring said. “We have not heard from them for nearly ten days now, so we can only assume that they have been captured or killed, or that they have betrayed us. The latter seems unlikely—they are experienced operatives, handpicked by myself.”
“Then it’s possible that the lab has been forewarned, and that they might have even relocated now that they know we’re onto them,” I pointed out.
“Yes, unfortunately.” Toring’s face was expressionless, but I sensed this was a sore topic for him. It would be for me, too, if I’d sent in a team only to have my mission backfire so badly.
“I surmise that you have not involved the local or national authorities?” Chen asked, her face lined with tension.
“We considered it, but decided not to involve the Garaian authorities, precisely because the problem is in Leniang port,” the Minister said. “We fear that the local warlords, who are thoroughly corrupt, would try to get their hands on the disease-causing substances and use them to blackmail everyone else. That, or use them against Garai’s enemies, some of which are our allies. And if it ever leaked out that those substances were created by scientists from the Northia Federation, our reputation could be damaged irreparably.”
“I see your point,” Chen said, sounding resigned. “I suppose this is why I was not aware of any of this. But I’m glad to know and will do anything to help. I have family living in that area, and would not want my younger sister or her children endangered.”
“She lives in Leniang City?” Director Toring asked with interest. “Are you close? Will she be willing to help?”
“I have not seen Asu for twenty years, since before she was married,” Chen said. “But Garaian families have strong ties, and I am the elder. She will do what she can.”
“We are counting on those familial ties to help us with our mission,” the Minister said, smiling. “Which is another reason why I am appointing Lord Iannis as the leader of this mission, since you work for him.”
“Thank you, sir,” Iannis said, not sounding the least bit surprised. Had he expected this? He was the logical choice, so I supposed he would have prepared himself for the possibility.
“Minister, with all due respect, I must protest,” Toring said, and the stiffness in his voice made it clear that he had not expected this decision. “I am the Director of Federal Security, after all, and my department provided both the airship and the pilot.”
“That is true,” the Minister acknowledged. “However, your experience with international affairs is not comparable to that of Lord Iannis and Director Chen. Before Lord Iannis came to Northia, he spent a good bit of time in Garai, amongst other countries. Isn’t that right?” he asked, turning toward Iannis.
“It is,” Iannis agreed, inclining his head. “I speak the northern dialect quite well, and am familiar with many Garaian customs. However, I have not traveled much in the south, which is where Director Chen’s experience will come in.”
“That is all very well,” Toring interjected, “but what about your young fiancée and apprentice?” His cold gaze flicked briefly toward me, and I clenched my fists beneath the table at the disdain in his eyes. “I understand you do not wish to be separated from Miss Baine for months—she is, after all, very pretty—but this is not the sort of mission where one takes a lover along.” Noting the dangerous glint in Iannis’s eyes, he hastily amended, “An apprentice, I meant to say.”
“This is not up for debate,” the Minister said firmly, saving me from firing off a scathing response. How dare that pompous bastard try to shut me out! And how were we supposed to work together with this oaf? It was a good thing he hadn’t been put in charge, or I would have refused to go. Iannis’s fingers found mine beneath the table, and he squeezed my hand—a show of solidarity as well as a warning to hold my temper in check.
“I already put Lord Iannis in charge of the mission, and he is free to bring along whomever he deems essential. If that includes Miss Baine, then so be it.” It was obvious from the Minister’s tone that he wasn’t convinced I was needed either, and I gritted my teeth. Zavian Graning had made it clear the last time I’d been to Dara that he did not hold me in high regard. But Iannis made no bones about the fact that he wouldn’t allow the Minister to intimidate or bully me, and it looked like the Minister was taking that to heart.
Whatever, I thought as I finished the last of my meal. The Minister and his Director of Federal Security could think what they wanted. I would use this opportunity to prove them so wrong, they would be begging me for help the next time they needed us to go on another mission.
In the meantime, though, I had to put up with these guys for several weeks, no, months. And, boy, was I not looking forward to that.
8
To my chagrin, there were no magic lessons for the rest of the day. Sure, I’d expected that, but it would have been nice to have a legitimate excuse to slip away from the guests. Unfortunately, Fenris wasn’t here to tutor me in Loranian, and Iannis was busy entertaining the Minister.
If it had been up to me, I would have snuck out of the Palace and gone to help Annia pack or something, since she was about to leave and I had no idea when I’d see her next. But that would have been the coward’s way out, and besides, Iannis was having none of it. He roped me, Chen, and Cirin into helping him entertain the delegates, essentially turning us into glorified tour guides. I was assigned to the Federal Secretary of Economic Affairs, Solar ar’Dakis, a lanky mage with jaw-length brown hair and hawkish features.
“It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, Miss Baine,” he said in a tone that suggested anything but as we headed for the side entrance of the Palace. “I have heard good things about you.”
I glanced sidelong at him. “You know that I can smell lies, right?”
His cheeks flushed, and he looked away. “I was trying to be polite. Something you’re clearly not interested in,” he added pointedly.
“Oh, I like good manners just fine,” I said easily as I held one of the double doors open for him. “But lying to a shifter is downright insulting. Not that you would know that, since you clearly don’t interact with our kind.” Solar frowned as we descended the steps toward the waiting carriage. I had half a mind to send it away and stick him on the back of my steam bike instead. A good, hard ride up and down Solantha’s steep hills and around sharp corners would probably go a long way toward getting that stick out of his ass. But Iannis would kill me, so I held in a sigh and allowed the driver to help me into the carriage after him.
At least I’d changed out of that fancy dress and back into normal clothes again. I wore a dark green top with my leather pants and boots, and my weapons were strapped to my body in clear view. It wasn’t safe for me to go around unarmed, even if I did know magic and had a trained mage along for the ride.
Solar’s eyes lingered on my crescent knives as the steam carriage rumbled forward, taking the main road that ran through the Mages Quarter and into Rowanville. “I see that despite being an apprentice to the most powerful mage in your state, you insist on dressing like an enforcer.”
“I am still an enforcer,” I said evenly, meeting his gaze. “Becoming a mage isn’t going to change that.”
“So you plan on chasing bounties after you’re wed to Lord Iannis?” Solar arched a brow. “That doesn’t seem very practical.”
I forced myself not to react. “I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it. In the meantime, Lord Iannis does not object to my enforcer shield. In fact, he continues to call upon my services as an enforcer from time to time.”
“Most unusual,” Solar murmured, some of the stiffness leaving his voice. He relaxed against the plush seating as he regarded me. “Earlier, you spoke of yourself as though you were just a shifter, and not also a mage. Is that how you regard yourself?”
“It was, for a long time,” I admitted, though I wasn’t entirely sure why I was telling
him this. It wasn’t as if we were buddies or anything. “When I first started my apprenticeship, I worried that I was going to have to choose between the two. But Resinah has helped me realize that it’s important to maintain both halves of my identity.”
“Resinah?” Solar’s eyebrows winged up. “You mean to say that you have spoken with the First Mage?”
“Yes.” I resisted the urge to clap my hands over my mouth. Should I have not admitted that aloud?
“That is very interesting,” Solar said, and to my surprise, he looked mildly impressed. “Resinah very rarely speaks to any of us directly. No wonder you have had such success in combating the Resistance with Lord Iannis, if you have had Resinah to guide you.”
I opened my mouth to tell him that, for the most part, Resinah had nothing to do with any of that, but thought better of it. Why ruin the moment, when he was clearly softening up to me?
“Her wisdom has proven very useful for me,” I said instead, allowing a smile to come to my lips. Hey, maybe I could actually get along with this guy. It would certainly make my temporary job as a tour guide more bearable.
I took Solar across the Firegate Bridge and up Hawk Hill so that we could visit the secret temple that was hidden from the naked eye by a powerful illusion spell. I spoke the Word that peeled back the illusion, and a little thrill went through me as the temple came into view. The domed building soared above me, constructed of a strange blue stone that sparkled in the afternoon light. Runes were carved into the moldings surrounding the round glass windows, and I wondered when I was going to start learning how to read them.
The heavy, carved entrance door to the temple was open already, so Solar and I quietly stepped through and into the large interior. Sunlight filtered in through the skylight set into the top of the domed ceiling, illuminating the interior and shining a spotlight directly onto the enormous white marble statue of Resinah, the First Mage and the mouthpiece of the Creator. She towered a good thirty feet above the half-dozen mages who knelt in prayer on the stone floor, and my eyebrows rose as I noticed they knelt not on the stone, but on woven rugs.